The design, dubbed the Southern Horizon, was voted most popular in a survey of 8,140 people conducted by Western Sydney University.

The survey offered respondents a choice of six alternative Australian flag designs. Of those who took part, 6,427 chose a favourite flag.

Dr Benjamin T Jones, who oversaw the survey, said the Southern Horizon garnered 31 per cent of the vote, followed closely by the Reconciliation Flag, with 28 per cent.

Other designs included in the survey were the well-known Eureka flag (15 per cent), the Golden Wattle (12 per cent), the Sporting flag (7 per cent) and the Southern Cross flag (6 per cent).

Dr Jones said the two most popular designs showed that respondents fell into two categories: those who wanted a neutral design with a link to the current flag, and those who wanted a flag that recognised Australia's Indigenous heritage.

"In many of the comments [from supporters of the Reconciliation Flag], an Indigenous element was an absolute must," he said.

"But there were many who said it must be a neutral flag, inclusive of all ethnicities."

He said Australians' connection to the flag had changed since the current design was adopted in 1901; it was subsequently altered in 1908.

"In one sense, it's an outdated thing," he said.

"We no longer take to battles needing a flag, it's more on sporting occasions ... and to distinguish ourselves at international meetings.

"It's still a powerful signal with a lot of relevance ... but we've come an incredibly long way, and in some senses, it is the flag of the old British Empire."

Dr Jones said the flags included in the survey had all been suggested as alternative flags in the past and had different groups supporting them.

The survey was run from December 16 to January 25.

Of the respondents, 64 per cent said they believed the Australian flag should change, while 36 per cent said it should remain the same.

Eighty-eight per cent of participants identified as having British, Irish or European heritage, while 3 per cent identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

"Australia has never had a truly democratic process to choose a national flag. The 1901 competition for a flag of government — not a national flag — required a British element and British approval," Dr Jones said.

"The response to this survey shows a proper national conversation on the Australian flag and a democratic vote is long overdue."